Here's a link to the history of the dam removal project:

http://www.nps.gov/olym/elwha/history.htm

Note that the final decision was made in 1996; however, the process started in the '70s. Gorton linked the funds necessary for removal of the Elwha dams to the continued operation of the Snake River dams, bless his little heart.

I know that back in the '70s Ernie Brannon Sr. was still gaffing and holding over big native chinook for his breeding program. While the genes undoubtedly still exist in the river's stocks, whether we will ever see runs of big fish again is something else, considering the uncontrolled fishery at the mouth of the Strait.

Keith